US Authorities Seize $6.4 Million in Cocaine from Tanker in LA Port

On May 21, 2026, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations and the Coast Guard seized 500 pounds (226 kg) of cocaine valued at approximately $6.4 million from the crude oil tanker Aquatravesia in the Port of Los Angeles. The drugs were discovered in the ship's garbage room after crewmembers reported finding suspicious packages. A 43-year-old Filipino crewmember, Ceasar Tubay Gelacio, was arrested for possession of the narcotics, which were intended for a Mexican drug cartel. The cartel planned to retrieve the drugs at sea using an armed small boat. This operation is part of ongoing efforts by U.S. authorities to combat drug smuggling and has resulted in record seizures in recent years. The Coast Guard and HSI continue to disrupt transnational crime and protect U.S. communities from illicit narcotics.

Key Points: • HSI and Coast Guard seized 500 pounds of cocaine from the tanker Aquatravesia. • The drugs were intended for a Mexican drug cartel, with a planned at-sea handover. • One crewmember was arrested and charged with importation of a controlled substance.